By By Elizabeth Ugbo
At least five people have died after an Amazon cargo plane crashed at Miami International Airport in the United States. The Boeing 767-300, operated by 21 Air, overran the runway while landing from San Juan, Puerto Rico, at about 2pm ET on the day of the crash. The incident struck several vehicles, caused a major fire, injured five people and disrupted operations at the busy airport.
Cargo Plane Overruns Runway During Landing
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the aircraft overran the runway after arriving from San Juan.
The plane then crossed a nearby road and struck multiple vehicles. It also caught fire following the crash.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue deployed more than 60 units to the scene. Crews worked to contain the flames and assess the condition of those affected.
Officials said at least five people died in the crash. Three injured victims remain in critical condition.
Two other injured people received hospital treatment for less severe injuries.
Pilot and Copilot Trapped Inside Aircraft
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Ray Jadallah said several people became trapped inside vehicles.
He also confirmed that the pilot and copilot remained trapped inside the aircraft.
However, officials had not confirmed the total number of crew members or passengers aboard the plane.
Firefighters also dealt with a fuel leak several hours after the crash. The leak complicated the emergency response.
Videos shared online showed thick black smoke rising near the airport runway. Despite the fire, the aircraft appeared largely intact.
FAA Investigates Cause of Crash
The cause of the accident remains unknown.
The FAA has launched an investigation into the crash. Meanwhile, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that it was aware of the incident.
The NTSB said it would provide further updates as investigators gather more information.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also addressed the incident. He said the Department of Transportation issued a full ground stop at Miami International Airport.
Duffy urged passengers to expect significant delays because of the disruption.
Amazon Confirms Plane Was Operated by 21 Air
Amazon confirmed that 21 Air operated the cargo aircraft.
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said the plane suffered an incident while attempting to land.
She added that the company was working with local authorities and officials.
According to Nantel, Amazon’s immediate priority remains the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved.
The company also pledged support for those affected by the crash.
Boeing 767 Had Served as Passenger Aircraft
The aircraft involved was about 32 years old.
According to flight-tracking website Flightradar24, it spent more than two decades serving as a passenger aircraft.
Operators later converted the Boeing 767 into a cargo plane in 2015.
Early reports indicated that the aircraft veered off the runway during landing. It then crossed a nearby road before the crash.
Authorities continue to investigate what caused the aircraft to leave the runway.
Miami Airport Faces Major Disruption
The crash has caused significant disruption at Miami International Airport.
The ground stop has affected airport operations and could lead to widespread travel delays.
Officials continue to manage the emergency response while investigators examine the crash site.
Further details are expected as authorities complete their assessment of the incident.
